Stacy Charette-Hill is still puzzled and tickled pink every time she lands in the winner’s circle, which is nearly every time she saddles a horse. On July 5 Charette-Hill trainees finished 1-2-3 in the richest quarter horse race in the Minnesota track’s 27-season history, the $133,525 Mystic Lake Northlands Futurity.

“This is unbelievable,’’ said her husband, Randy Hill, upon entering the winner’s circle.

Under jockey Ry Eikleberry, Hr Ebony Princess bounced off a second place effort in the June 29th trials to hold off stable-mate and fastest qualifier Hr Money Maker by a neck. The $27,050 winner's purse boosted her career total past $43,300. She completed the 400 yard course in :19.832 seconds, a 103 speed index.

“When you ride for a trainer that is in the money 90% of the time it’s hard to lose,” Eikleberry said. “She broke in front and stayed in front,” he said. “She ducked in a little, but I picked her up.”

Bobby and Vickie Hammer of Elmore City, Oklahoma own the first two derby finishers.

The winner had a touching story. “Her mother bled out giving her birth,’’ said Bobby, “and she was raised by a cuttin’ horse mare.’’
“She was bigger than the mare,’’ said Vickie.

Hr Ebony Princess underwent surgery for a chipped knee and was laid up for more than five months. She has found her stride once again.

“That was a shocker,” Charette-Hill said of the winner and then quickly added: “No it wasn’t. I told my daughter if that black mare leaves she can win this.”

Michael Pohl's First Prize Wagon, also a Charette-Hill trainee, finished a neck off the leaders to earn $5,410. Jose Montoya rode the PYC PAINT YOUR WAGON gelding out of First Prize Kate, by Fly Jess Fly.

Completing the derby field were Girls Dont Seis, Runaway For Corona, Patriots Dream 123, Hada Certain Charm, Outlaw Memories and Catchin Fire. The later finished fifth but was disqualified and placed last for interference. Tcf New Love was scratched.